If you’re a car enthusiast, there’s nothing better than spotting a highly polished, lovingly maintained classic car out on the road. But if you are looking at buying one, or have recently bought your own, it’s good to know what it’ll take to keep your pride and joy looking the part and running smoothly.
For starters, a 2024 survey conducted by the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation revealed the cost of maintaining a classic car is around $10,000 per vehicle, per year,1 potentially covering everything from repairs to parts and classic car insurance.
On top of those financial considerations, there’s also choosing the right type of car storage, regular DIY maintenance checks, finding specialist mechanics and more. If you’re keen to take the best possible care of your distinctive set of wheels, read on for some practical pointers from a classic car expert.
How old is a classic car?
How many years does a car need to have on its clock to be billed as a “classic”? The definition can vary but classic cars, sometimes referred to as historic cars,2 are typically those that are 30 years of age or older, counted from the year of manufacture.3 When it comes to insurance, definitions may vary across different companies.
What does it take to keep a classic car in good condition?
“A classic car can be really robust, simple to service and ultra-reliable,” says Daniel Binfield, Vice President of the Classic & Custom Car Club of NSW. “But they’re also just machines that may break if they’re not looked after.”
The following guide is designed to help you preserve your classic car’s good looks and performance, while potentially helping it to hold its value too.
Keep it under cover
“Any car will deteriorate if it’s left out in the elements,” says Binfield. “As classic car enthusiasts, our hobby and value revolve around preservation or restoration, so generally speaking, good storage is key to both successful car collecting and lower maintenance.”
While a clean, dry storage space that protects your car from rain and direct sunlight is recommended,4 Binfield says investing in a temperature-controlled storage space isn’t essential. “Fortunately, cold weather in Australia isn’t generally as much of a consideration as it is in other parts of the world where there’s significant snowfall,” he notes.
It may be worth using a car cover even when your car is garaged, for an extra layer of protection from the elements and other things, such as dust and water damage.5
Protect ageing materials and parts
“Old things need to be looked after and maintained,” says Binfield, who adds that, in his experience, the chrome work on older vehicles can sometimes last far longer than what’s standard on modern and new vehicles if well looked after.
“On the other hand, plastics and rubber parts on classic cars are a constant source of failure. They’re also difficult to replace, especially on more unique models or less-prominent classic vehicles.” he says.
While storing your car appropriately will help to protect and preserve every surface and finish,4 there are other steps you can take:
- Handwash your car every so often.5 How frequently that is will depend on how often you get it out of the garage and what the weather and road conditions are like when you’re driving – it could be once a fortnight or once every three to five weeks.6 The aim is to prevent the accumulation of dirt which, if it becomes damp and stays damp, is the main cause of rust in cars.7
- In addition to removing dirt and mud from the obvious and less obvious spots, such as wheel arches and beneath the car, avoid putting a wet car in a warm, closed garage as this can also encourage rust to develop.7
- Wax your car a couple of times a year to keep its paintwork in eye-catching condition and to prevent damaging substances, such as salt, from building up.5
- Maintain its interior5 with suitable cleaning and protection products, such as a quality leather, vinyl and plastic protectant.
Carry out regular checks at home
“Upkeep on any vehicle is important, but on a classic car it would be prudent to always check that your fluids are topped up as a bare minimum,” says Binfield.
This includes making sure the car always has sufficient levels of brake fluid and transmission fluid, as well as oil and water.5
Stay up to date with services
Having your classic car serviced not only helps to ensure everything is intact and functioning properly, but it’s also an opportunity to pick up any issues or potential problems early.8 Especially if you plan to hit the open road to make the most of your head-turning wheels or show them off at classic car meets.
Regular six-monthly services are generally recommended for all cars, regardless of age, but owners of older vehicles may choose to treat their cars to a service as frequently as once every three months.9
Wondering if you still have to get your classic car serviced even if you don’t drive it much – or at all? The answer is yes. In fact, irregular use, or no use at all, can make it more important to stay up to date with servicing.8
Drive it regularly
This can help to maintain the health of the car’s engine as well as all the rubbers and seals beneath the bonnet.8
“Get your car out of the garage and drive it,” urges Binfield, who says the very act of driving your classic car can help you keep on top of any issues.
“There’s no anti-lock braking system, no cruise control – in most cases, you’re using a choke, throttle control and a manual gearbox.”
“This forces you to listen and understand what the engine is doing and also enables you to hear when something isn’t right or has changed.”
What are the challenges of owning a classic car?
“Finding trades for quality work (on classic cars) can be a problem,” says Binfield. “People with knowledge of obsolete technology and vehicle systems are becoming lost to the world.”
“As a result, joining a classic car club has become almost critical for everything from registration to sourcing servicing providers, sales specialists, engineers and parts.”
A club membership can also be a helpful hub for classic car restoration tips, he says. “Networks are sometimes able to scour the country for the one part that manufacturers haven’t made for decades.”
It’s worth noting that Youi only offers cover for certain cars manufactured since 1980 – to see if your car is covered, you can call Youi.
Should you keep your classic car in its original condition or make modifications?
It’s the eternal question of the classic car world! And one that depends on what you really want from your vehicle.
“A lot of people see perfection in what the factory produced,” says Binfield.
“But I also understand that for other (classic car owners), they see perfection in what they create. These creations and changes are almost unlimited in variety and when done well, are just as amazing as the 100% factory vehicles.”
However, it’s important to remember that some insurers may not cover aftermarket modifications, so it’s probably worth checking your coverage before making any changes.
Whether you are dreaming of buying a classic car or already own one – or a garage-full – you might be wondering about the right classic car insurance. Start a quote with Youi for insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
1 Source: Australian Motor Heritage Foundation – Economic Value Study of Australia’s Historic Vehicle Sector, April 2024
2 Source: QLD Government – Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme guide, December 2023
3 Source: NSW Government – Registering and using a classic vehicle
4 Source: Canstar – Investing in Classic Cars, September 2021
5 Source: Auto Parts and Accessories Journal – How to Maintain Your Classic Car, March 2022
6 Source: Drive – How often should you wash your car? The definitive answer, January 2024
7 Source: The Australasian Corrosion Association – Corrosion in cars
8 Source: Drive – Does a car need to be serviced even if it’s not being driven?, May 2024
9 Source: Canstar – How often should you service your car?, April 2024
